About the Book

Book: Zoey: Meet the Misfits & Zoey: Odd Girl Out
Author: Melody Carlson
Genre: Middle grade fiction for girls
Release Date: April 15/ August 15, 2019
Zoey’s pretty sure her life is over when her wannaba-rockstar mother uproots her from from their home in Seattle and deposits her in Nowheresville, Oregon to live with her whackadoodle grandparents. Things start to look up, though, when she reconnects with Louisa, the girl from across the street. Maybe, just maybe, Louisa won’t mind that Zoey’s always been a bit of a misfit. Louisa’s ex-BFF, however, doesn’t seem too happy to welcome Zoey to the neighborhood. And when they all end up at church camp together, it’s not just a matter of whether or not Zoey can fit in…it becomes a firsthand lesson in what it really means to “love your enemy.”
When the school year begins, Zoey’s terrified to go without Louisa—who’s out with a nasty flu. The same enemies she made over the summer are there to haunt her, but she and another new girl stick together…and even seem to find a place among the in-crowd. But is this who Zoey wants to be? Are they really her friends? Who’s going to stick beside her when cyber bullying leaves her as the odd girl out?

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In My Opinion

What eleven-year-old girl wouldn’t be upset about being taken away from not only her best friend but also the home she’s always known to be dropped off with grandparents she hardly knows?

Young readers will relate to Zoey and her uncertainty with a move and plenty of friendship drama. Melody Carlson expertly weaves some important lessons into these 250 pages.

Zoey learns she can make new friends wherever she is, her grandparents and uncle aren’t as weird as she believed when she gets to know them and being bullied is no fun.

The first book in Carlson’s Being Zoey series is a wonderful introduction to Zoey, her friends, family, and new town while also leaving room for more adventures (and possible trouble) to come.

My Rating:

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Zoey returns for the first day of middle school. Not only is she starting at a new school in a new town, but her best friend is also sick and not coming with her.

Melody Carlson gives young ladies another story about the challenges of youth. Odd Girl Out deals with issues like peer pressure and cyberbullying.

Through the course of the first couple weeks of school, Zoey learns that friends can use you for their own gain, that little voice inside your head warning somethings not right should be heeded, and that, no matter the challenges she’s struggling within the moment, God is always there.

My Rating:

About the Author

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books for teens, women, and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her young adult novels appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She’s won a number of awards (including RT’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita and the Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog.

More from Melody

Being a tween these days is more complicated than ever. With our culture’s fast pace, social networking, peer pressure . . . growing up is hard to do. So I wanted to create a relatable character with some tough challenges. And Zoey Petrizzo definitely gets more than her fair share. About to start middle-school, Zoey is forced to relocate her life with her less than conventional grandparents. And it’s not easy! My hope is that readers will either relate to Zoey, or develop more empathy for ‘misfit’ kids like her.